Jerry’s Seafood to close Dec. 29

Jerry’s Seafood, a longtime staple of downtown Lewes, will be closing permanently Wednesday, Dec. 29. 

Owner Chris Becker announced the news just before Christmas. 

“It’s been a wonderful 16-plus years that I have had the privilege of being part of the Lewes community,” she said in a press release to patrons past and present. “I can’t tell you how important your friendship and support have been to me. I feel blessed to have made your acquaintance and have earned your friendship, and as they say, ‘see you around town.’”

Becker plans to go out with a bang. She will be hosting a party from 5 to 8 p.m., Dec. 29, with live music from Heather of Copper Sky. For $20, guests can eat and drink as much as they want. 

Although Jerry’s is disappearing, some of its specialities such as crab soups will live on at its sister restaurant Rose and Crown at 142 Second St. 

“The Crab Bomb will be retiring along with me,” Becker said. 

The historic Walsh building, which Jerry’s has called home for 16 years, recently sold to a new owner. According to a 2004 article in the Cape Gazette, the Walsh building was constructed in 1930 by William E. Walsh. The two-story building was constructed on a vacant lot that used to house carnivals sponsored by the Lewes Fire Department. In the 1940s, Fox’s 5 & 10 cents store occupied a portion of the building. A decade later, the former Lewes Foodlane Store moved in. 

In 1984, the building received a complete facelift, creating space for several shops and apartments. Rose and Crown got its start in the building in the ’80s before closing in 2005 and reopening in the Rodney Hotel in 2012. 

According to Sussex County property records, the Walsh building sold to Gallo Investment Group LLC in September for $2.35 million.